Other States - Orissa   

Naxal violence claims 128 lives since 2004

BHUBANESWAR: As many as 84 policemen lost their lives and 44 civilians were killed by left wing extremists on Orissa soil since Naveen Patnaik-led Government came to power for the second time in 2004.

Presenting a year-wise figure on murder committed by naxalites in the State Assembly on Monday, Mr. Patnaik, who also held the Home Minister’s portfolio, said while only 12 policemen were killed from 2004 to 2007, this year saw the figure going up by astronomical 72.

While CPI (Maoist) militants shot down 15 State policemen in Nayagarh on February 15, 36 greyhound personnel from Andhra Pradesh were ambushed in Balimela reservoir and 17 State policemen lost their lives as a landmine went off in Malkanagiri district during last 60 days.

During the same period 44 civilians were also made target, of them eight were killed in western Orissa district of Sambalpur in 2005. Malkanagiri again emerged as the most naxal violence-hit district as far as reported deaths were concerned. Besides, five other government officials were also killed during last five year.

While the violence was deteriorating with passing days, the State government remained silent as to how much money it had spent on security in view of naxal violence. Since 2000 the State government has received more than Rs. 251 crore towards modernization of its police force.

In the meantime, the State, which had five districts identified to be naxalite-infested area in 2000, has now 10 districts where left wing extremists were active.

Since 2001 different courts have convicted corrupt persons in only 10 out of 2143 cases registered by vigilance wing of State police. In a written reply, Mr. Patnaik told the Assembly that 12 persons were convicted while 19 were acquitted from January 2001 to March 2008. On an average, Vigilance wing has registered more than 250 cases every year leading up to total case of 2143.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Foot-over-bridge to be completed by Nov.
Promoting Kathak is her forte
Sadbhavana Award
On the warpath
Violence spreads
Distance mode exam deferred
Bandh affects normal life in capital
Mastermind and his associate arrested in porno CD case
Violence spreads in Kandhamal district
Naxal violence claims 128 lives since 2004
Jail warders on the warpath

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu